Skip to main content

July 14

July 14, 2020 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 

Contact: 

Derek Rayment 

Public and Media Relations Manager 

402-960-0697, cell 

darayment@mccneb.edu  

 

MCC Gateway to College receives national award, records highest number of program 
completers in its history 

 

OMAHA, Neb. - The Metropolitan Community College Gateway to College program is a recipient of a Program Excellence Award from Achieving the Dream’s Gateway to College national network for academic year 2018-19. This marks the third consecutive year that MCC Gateway to College has received the award, and the first time that the program has met all four benchmarks—graduation rate, persistence, grade point average and first-term classes passed. 

 

In the same academic year, the program had more than 45 students complete, its highest number ever. For academic year 2019-20, that number was just short of 45. MCC Gateway to College is an alternative for area high school students who have become disengaged from traditional secondary school or have fallen behind for various reasons.  

 

“MCC Gateway to College supports our community by providing students an opportunity to complete a high school diploma while simultaneously receiving college credit. Students receive staff support every step of their journey. Through this guidance and accountability model, students can achieve personal and educational success, which in turn reflects in our achievement of the Gateway to College National Network benchmarks,” said Jordan Pirtle, director of Secondary Partnerships and Gateway to College. 

 

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the program will be delivering a mix of online and in-person instruction for the fall quarter. The College has also purchased additional laptops for Gateway to College students. 

 

“Gateway to College has become a lifeline to many teens seeking a high school diploma in a unique setting. The extra services provided are an integral part of each student’s success while they gain self-esteem, educational and life skills. I am privileged to work with these youth and honored to see our program reach or exceed the national network benchmarks,” said Amber Tjaden, assistant director of Gateway to College. 

 

For more information, visit mccneb.edu/gateway or call 531-MCC-2400. 

 

# # # 

 
Metropolitan Community College, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, is a comprehensive, public community college that offers affordable, quality education to all residents of Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington counties. Founded in 1974, MCC has the largest enrollment out of six community colleges in Nebraska and is the second largest postsecondary institution in the state. MCC serves more than 40,000 unique credit and noncredit students.